FLYOVER CHURCH: HOW JESUS' MINISTRY IN RURAL PLACES IS GOOD NEWS EVERYWHERE

 

The subtitle for this engaging ministry manual is, “How Jesus’ Ministry In Rural Places Is Good News For Everyone.”  And yes, I did indeed say “ministry manual.”  A disclaimer of sorts is in order: “Rural ministry is not for the faint of heart.” 

According to a 2021 study of more than 15,000 religious congregations by Faith Communities Today (FACT), 7 in 10 U.S. churches have 100 or fewer weekly worship service attendees.¹  And the number of rural churches is growing in number, if not in size.

Pastor and author Brad Roth ministers in one such church congregation, in rural central Kansas.  He grew up baling hay, tending sheep, and shearing Christmas trees on a farm in Illinois.  He’s writing from personal experience when he says, “Rurality isn’t a problem to be solved.  Rural is a way of life, a kind of culture.  We’re still here.”

What sets rural ministry apart is the communities themselves.  “There are formal responsibilities and contracts and job obligations in rural communities just like there are in cities and suburbs,” Pastor Brad writes, “but what really sets rural apart are the informal obligations and responsibilities that bind people together.”

Pastor Brad feels that ministry is not “task-based,” but is more “presence-based.”  In rural communities, the need to “get to know the people” is even more crucial than in urban or suburban ministries.  “Pastors have to be in, with, and for the community.”  “Showing up” and “staying put” are important concepts.  Loyalty is not optional.  

For Pastor Brad, the message hasn’t changed.  It doesn’t need to be rebranded.  The same gospel, the same methods that Jesus used to establish His church are the same.  But the rural community has its own mentality which must be understood in order to minister the Gospel effectively. 

Using the Gospel of Mark as a backdrop, Pastor Brad “walks” the reader through the joys and challenges that are part and parcel of the rural community ministry.  Rural ministry avoids typical “measuring tools” that seem to be the bread and butter of urban and suburban ministry. 

As a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and the Anabaptist Mennonite Seminary, sometimes the author’s education gets the better of him.  But through it all, Brad Roth’s championing the cause of the rural church is a refreshing journey through the Flyover Church. 

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

FLYOVER CHURCH

BRAD ROTH

ISBN: 978-1-5138-1372-1

RELIGION / CHRISTIAN MINISTRY / PASTORAL RESOURCES

HERALD PRESS

159 pages

$19.99  U.S. paperback

 EVER SINCE DR. JAN WUBBENA “TURNED ME ON” TO CLASSICAL MUSIC IN MY VISUAL ARTS AND MUSIC COURSE, THE “CONDUCTOR” HAS LOOMED LARGE.  A CONDUCTOR’S JOB IS TO GET EVERY  INSTRUMENT IN THE ORCHESTRA TO PLAY TOGETHER.  ONE OTHER HUGE IDEA I JUST GOT OFF THE INTERNET IS THAT “THE CONDUCTOR’S JOB IS TO DO JUSTICE TO THE COMPOSER.”

TAKING BOTH THOSE IDEAS, ONE MUST FIRST REALIZE THAT GOD IS THE CONDUCTOR, NOT ME.  I’M ONE OF THE INSTRUMENTS HE IS CONDUCTING.  BUT INSIDE THIS BODY OF MINE, THERE ARE MANY INSTRUMENTS.  PAUL SAYS,

“LIKEWISE RECKON YE ALSO YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.  (12)  LET NOT SIN THEREFORE REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY, THAT YE SHOULD OBEY IT IN THE LUSTS THEREOF.  (13)  NEITHER YIELD YE YOUR MEMBERS AS INSTRUMENTS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO SIN: BUT YIELD YOURSELVES UNTO GOD, AS THOSE THAT ARE ALIVE FROM THE DEAD, AND YOUR MEMBERS AS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO GOD.  (14)  FOR SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU: FOR YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE.”

ROMANS 6:11-14 

 I HAVE MANY “INSTRUMENTS” IN MY BODY; I NEED TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE CONDUCTOR – THE HOLY SPIRIT – SO THAT HE CAN DO JUSTICE TO THE COMPOSER.

STAY BLESSED!!

 Here's a one-off post, just because I was led to.  Opened up YAHOO! and saw, "TODAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE."  And I thought, first of all, of all those "soothsayers" the Apostle Paul warned the Thessalonians about when he said, "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3.)  

And then I remembered the legacy of my Lord Jesus Christ:  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27.)    

And I realized, "Every day could be a day of peace."  But before there can be peace between two warring parties, one side must surrender.

Sin has made every man Jack of us enemies of the Lord God Almighty.   David explored this theme in Psalm 2: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  (11)  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  (12)  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." (Psalms 2:10-12.)  The phrase "kiss the Son" is a euphemism for "lay down your weapons."  It's an illustration of surrender.  And the Apostle Paul explores the various nuances of "surrender" in Romans 5:1-2:  "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  (2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2.) 

Traditionally, when conquering kings (and nations) entered into peace treaties, they pretty much pillaged the conquered nation.  They broke up the population, sometimes even to the family members.  They looted, and destroyed, and let their military forces have their way with the conquered foe.  It wasn't pretty.

But when we "surrender" to Jesus . . . when we surrender to the Lord God Almighty, He doesn't punish us; He doesn't loot, pillage and destroy.  Instead, He restores us.  He lavishes blessings upon us.  We not only receive peace . . . we also get "full access" to the grace in which we stand, upon our surrender.  And we can "rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  

When we surrender to Christ . . . it doesn't feel like losing. 

"I lost it all . . . to find everything.  

I died a pauper . . . to be born a king.  

When I learned how to lose, I found how to win.

Oh, I lost it all, to find everything."  

                                                 (Bill & Gloria Gaither)

 True worship involves every aspect of one's being.  I went to a four-year Christian College for my bachelor's degree, and the school motto was "Head, Heart, and Hand."  A recognition that worshipping God involved the whole person.  Worship is not just an emotional release; it's an understanding of how much God has done for us, and a dedication of the head, the heart, and the hand to proclaim His name to succeeding generations.

1 Chronicles 16:8-13 records the "worship service" led by King David, and exhort us to respond to God's blessings in appropriate ways:  "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.  (9)  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.  (10)  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.  (11)  Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.  (12)  Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;  (13)  O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones." (1 Chronicles 16:8-13.)    

Worship is vocal.  The mouth, the tongue, to vocal chords, the diaphragm are as much "instruments of praise" as the musical instruments noted in my last post.  The ear is involved, making sure we are "on pitch."  God created us for excellence, and excellence is what we ought to strive for.  However, if some of us are "tone deaf," that doesn't mean we shouldn't worship!  God never said, "Make a joyful melody unto the Lord."  He didn't say, "Make a joyful harmony unto the Lord."  Scripture tells us, "make a joyful noise."  Not once, not twice . . . but SEVEN times, we are encouraged to do so.  I can do that.

Worship is rememberable. That is, it has a body of historical recollections upon which to draw for content in our worship.  David encouraged the congregation, "talk of all His wondrous works; REMEMBER His marvellous works, His wonders, the judgments of His mouth."  There's a reason they were to sing. . . and we have reason to sing, as well.  "Count your many blessings, name them one by one; and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!"

Finally, worship is personal.  This worship service was comprised of those who belonged to the Lord, who had experienced His faithfulness to all generations, who had worked His mighty wonders in their very midst.  The congregation was comprised of "the seed of Israel His servant," and "children of Jacob, His chosen ones."  They are the only ones who could sing this song.  If a Philistine or a Moabite had tried to sing this song, there would have been problems.  You can't sing a song like this if you haven't experienced the lyrics firsthand.

 So, what does worship look like?  There are many, many instances of worship in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament as well.  I "stumbled" upon one in my devotions this morning that really struck home, and I'd like to share it.  1 Chronicles 16 records the bringing of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, after having passed through many delays and adventures that one can read about in 2 Samuel 6.  1 Chronicles 16, however, puts the typical "devotional / applicational" spin on the historical account.

Worship begins with "getting right with God."  "So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.  (2)  And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD."  (1 Chronicles 16:1-2)  One should never come into the presence of God empty-handed.  There is always a sacrifice of praise to be offered; there is always a recognition of how much God has blessed us that needs to be acknowledged.

Next, David enlisted the aid of the people.  "And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine."  Critics and liberals would point to this and say, "David bribed the people into worshipping God."  I don't see it as a bribe; I see it as an invitation.  David was going to worship, and he wanted all of his people to worship as well.  This was an invitation to worship; encouragement to worship.  It also pointed out how much God had blessed, that their king was able to bless every man and woman with the necessary supplies to encourage worship.  There's nothing like the recollection of a blessing to encourage worship more!

Next, David "tuned up the orchestra."  "And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:  (5)  Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;  (6)  Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God." (1 Chronicles 16:4-6.)  

Finally, having set the stage, David commenced the worship service . . . David, himself, led the "opening hymn."  "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren." (1 Chronicles 16:7.)  

The stage is set.  Stay tuned for the worship service!

  

“LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED: YE BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME.  (2)  IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS . . .”

μονή  “dwelling places,”  “rooms,”  “abodes”  “a place where one may remain or dwell”

“IF IT WERE NOT SO, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU.  (3)  AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.”

WHEN YOU GET UP IN THE MORNING, IS THE FIRST THOUGHT ON YOUR MIND, “TODAY, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPEND THE REST OF ETERNITY WITH JESUS!”  DOES IT FILL YOU WITH LONGING . . . OR DREAD AND APPREHENSION?  IS JESUS SO REAL TO YOU THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE BEING IN HIS PRESENCE FOR ALL OF ETERNITY . . . AND NEVER GET BORED AT THE THOUGHT?

 

JESUS . . . SHOW ME WHO YOU REALLY ARE.  SHOW ME THAT IT’S REAL. 

 

EVERYTHING FROM GENESIS 3:14-15

“AND THE LORD GOD SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, BECAUSE THOU HAST DONE THIS, THOU ART CURSED ABOVE ALL CATTLE, AND ABOVE EVERY BEAST OF THE FIELD; UPON THY BELLY SHALT THOU GO, AND DUST SHALT THOU EAT ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE:  (15)  AND I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN THEE AND THE WOMAN, AND BETWEEN THY SEED AND HER SEED; IT SHALL BRUISE THY HEAD, AND THOU SHALT BRUISE HIS HEEL.” GENESIS 3:14-15 

TO REVELATION 20:11-15

“AND I SAW A GREAT WHITE THRONE, AND HIM THAT SAT ON IT, FROM WHOSE FACE THE EARTH AND THE HEAVEN FLED AWAY; AND THERE WAS FOUND NO PLACE FOR THEM.  (12)  AND I SAW THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STAND BEFORE GOD; AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED: AND ANOTHER BOOK WAS OPENED, WHICH IS THE BOOK OF LIFE: AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED OUT OF THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.  (13)  AND THE SEA GAVE UP THE DEAD WHICH WERE IN IT; AND DEATH AND HELL DELIVERED UP THE DEAD WHICH WERE IN THEM: AND THEY WERE JUDGED EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.  (14)  AND DEATH AND HELL WERE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH.  (15)  AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.” REVELATION 20:11-15 

EVERYTHING BETWEEN THOSE TWO “BRACKETS” (GENESIS 3:15 – REVELATION 20:15) IS ALL ABOUT THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY REDEEMING HIS CREATION FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND SATAN.  AND IT WAS ALL DONE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT WAS ALL OF GRACE, AND ALL OF FAITH,  “NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.”

           WORSHIP:  THE ULTIMATE PRIORITY

 (Day Two)

What is worship?  That’s the question, yeah?  For some it’s a purely emotional release, where one “speaks in the Spirit,” “dances in the Spirit,” cries in ecstasy . . . just “lets loose” because God is good . . . and what He does is goodness. 

 For others, it’s the logical acknowledgment that God is the creator and sustainer of everything that was, and is, and is to come.  And since the soul is eternal, that’s a long time coming, right?  And so one responds by obedience and service.

 Opposite ends of the spectrum, but both expressions equally valid.  Because you never know what you are going to do when you come face to face with the Living God.  Just last night, I really had a longing to worship God in my music.  Now, I’m close to 60 years old, and I’ve been walking this road since I was in my early 20’s.  I should be past “putting out the fleece” to know God’s will.  But last night, for some reason, I just spoke to the Lord, “Lord, I want to praise and worship you on my way home from work.”  I opened up my CD collection (I burn CD’s, and label them according to genre) . . . and the first CD my eyes rested on was my Southern Gospel:  Praise And Worship.  And I just started laughing, and praising God right there.  I hadn’t even put the CD in, and God’s “answered prayer” had me before the throne, doing what I was so clearly made to do:  praising God for who He is, and for what He’s done for me, and in me, and through me.

 For me, that’s the simplest definition of worship:  “Worship is what you do when you realize you’re in the presence of the Lord God Almighty.”  And yes, there are emotions . . . you can’t escape it. As Mr. and Mrs. Beaver so aptly stated in The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (author, C.S. Lewis):

““Who is Aslan?” asked Susan.

 

“Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver, “Why, don’t you know? He’s the King. He’s the Lord of the whole wood . . . You’ll understand when you see him.”

 

“Is--is he a man?” asked Lucy.

 

“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion--the Lion, the great Lion.”

 

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he--quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

 

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver. “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

 

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

 But don’t take Mr. Lewis’s words for it.  Scripture is full of instances in which the creation entered into the presence of the Most High God.  And the inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative word of God faithfully recorded those instances . . . and the responses.

 JACOB’S LADDER:  In Genesis 28, verses 10 – 22, the first night of his “exile,” fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob fell asleep, and fell into a dream:

“And he dreamed, and behold, a stairway was set on the earth, and its top touched the heavens. And behold, angels of God were going up and going down on it.  (13)  And behold, Yahweh was standing beside him, and he said,  “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The ground on which you were sleeping I will give to you and to your descendants.  (14)  Your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west, and to the east, and to the north and to the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and through your descendants.  (15)  Now behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go. And I will bring you to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised to you.”  (16)  Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely Yahweh is indeed in this place and I did not know!”  (17)  Then he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is nothing else than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”                               Genesis 28:12-17 

 If you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, this might be your experience every night.  The writer of the Epistle To The Hebrews encourages us:

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  (15)  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16 

I plan on exploring more "encounters" in future posts. Have a blessed day!